Voiding warranty - what other surprises are there besides Global Media batteries?

[Les C.]

I noticed one post where it was mentioned RED warned a customer his warranty could be voided due to using Global Media batteries.

In another post, a RED user said he was charged over a thousand for a repair involving for using 3rd party accessories, as they invalidated his warranty.

I notice a lot of people using AB and Global Media batteries on the Epic and Scarlet forums, both seem well regarded.

But, I've got some concerns now about how 3rd party accessories affect the warranty.

Are there other things that will void warranty that seem to be commonly done?

There was some initial confusion on my part about the 2nd post being about GMP batteries. It turned out I was mistaken, and the invalidated warranty was due to some other 3rd party power accessories.

So, the title of this thread may be misleading as to whether or not there are issues specifically with GMP batteries. I've never heard of any user complaints, so ... I'm not aware of any.

There's some clarification by RED on several posts in this thread that basically seem to say, if a 3rd party accessory damages the camera, your warranty is void. Fair enough. (BTW - the main problems reported by RED have to do with 3rd party power and audio - with audio being exceedingly problematic, often mis-wired. FYI - Do NOT plug your line level into the mic input - and with the phantom power getting enabled soon, be dead certain your audio wiring is correct, or be dead)

But, there's still some confusion as to whether just using a 3rd party accessory, one that is not defective, will void one's warranty.

I'm sure this will get cleared up shortly, and I'll probably edit this initial post again.

[Adam Michael Carr]

Are you saying that both GM and AB batteries will void the warranty? I was unaware that using AB batteries would void my warranty. Where is this stated?

[Dave Weber]

Les,

I know there is a thread out there where Jarred states that using aluminium screws to hold parts onto your camera could void the warranty also. from Jarred directly;

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread....642#post788642

[Les C.]

Are you saying that both GM and AB batteries will void the warranty? I was unaware that using AB batteries would void my warranty. Where is this stated?

I do not know if that's the case. The threads I saw where for GMP. AB is not a RED product, so it could very well void the warranty.

I'm just trying to find out the answer?

[Jeff Whitehurst]

Check out the "Warranty Limitations" section here: http://www.red.com/terms-conditions
Improper electrical/power supply, defective batteries and non-RED Approved lens mounts are some of the standout items mentioned.

[Les C.]

Check out the "Warranty Limitations" section here: http://www.red.com/terms-conditions
Improper electrical/power supply, defective batteries and non-RED Approved lens mounts are some of the standout items mentioned.

Well, there's a line the the terms and conditions:

"Red products are compatible with Red software, Red parts, and Red products only. Use of any software, parts, or products other than Red or Red approved software, parts, and products voids any and all warranties."

that could imply using a Canon lens with the Canon mount would invalidate the warranty. That line was written by a lawyer to be a broad as possible.

That would certainly apply to AB batteries, and to every single non-RED product out there.

This one thread that stuck out to me involved a user who had an issue, RED agreed that it was not is fault (heresay, as I was not there), and when he told them that he was using GMP, it cost him > $1K to get his camera back.

Under that warranty language, GMP or AB batteries, or tvLogic or Marshall monitors, can void your warranty.

I find that a bit disturbing - especially that connecting a DC power source would void the warranty and cost that gentleman a lot of money.

I don't own any GMP batteries, and only know what I read here, but if they are defective products that will void the warranty, RED should probably mention that, as there are a whole lot of people who own them and my perception is that they are well regarded.

I certainly want to avoid the situation where I have my warranty voided for using a well regarded product.

[Jesper Sichlau]

Well, there's a line the the terms and conditions:

"Red products are compatible with Red software, Red parts, and Red products only. Use of any software, parts, or products other than Red or Red approved software, parts, and products voids any and all warranties."

that could imply using a Canon lens with the Canon mount would invalidate the warranty. That line was written by a lawyer to be a broad as possible.

If a lens works with the Red (i.e. focus, zoom?, aperture) it must be by definition been approved for the camera. Othervise it simply wouldn't work.

[Scott Crawley]

If a lens works with the Red (i.e. focus, zoom?, aperture) it must be by definition been approved for the camera. Othervise it simply wouldn't work.

I wouldn't quite go that far myself. I wouldn't say that Red warrants the use of all EF mount lenses with their camera systems. They only warrant the things that are expressly stated in the warranty documents. You can infer anything else you like, but they will not back you up on it.

Some lenses that have not yet been profiled or tested may still work with the system. The fact that they work does not mean that they are approved or supported, much less warranted.

[Adam Michael Carr]

Well, there's a line the the terms and conditions:

"Red products are compatible with Red software, Red parts, and Red products only. Use of any software, parts, or products other than Red or Red approved software, parts, and products voids any and all warranties."

that could imply using a Canon lens with the Canon mount would invalidate the warranty. That line was written by a lawyer to be a broad as possible.

That would certainly apply to AB batteries, and to every single non-RED product out there.

This one thread that stuck out to me involved a user who had an issue, RED agreed that it was not is fault (heresay, as I was not there), and when he told them that he was using GMP, it cost him > $1K to get his camera back.

Under that warranty language, GMP or AB batteries, or tvLogic or Marshall monitors, can void your warranty.

I find that a bit disturbing - especially that connecting a DC power source would void the warranty and cost that gentleman a lot of money.

I don't own any GMP batteries, and only know what I read here, but if they are defective products that will void the warranty, RED should probably mention that, as there are a whole lot of people who own them and my perception is that they are well regarded.

I certainly want to avoid the situation where I have my warranty voided for using a well regarded product.

Are we talking about the factory warranty or the extended Red Armor warranty? So when it comes to these 3rd party accessories, even the Armor cant protect us?

[Scott C]

I would love some clarification on this subject.. if everyone who is using a GMP or other aftermarket battery has voided their warranty that will affect a large number of people.